Mom lost her battle with cancer but won her battle in life...

I love my mom. . . . My mom lost her battle with cancer, and it was a very hard battle. It was scary and painful, but she leaned on the strength of her husband, her family and on her Savior. I am so proud of my mom.

Shirley Anne Rittenhour came into this world in Sandusky, Ohio in February of 1936. She grew up in Ohio and she left many friends there when she moved to Pennsylvania after graduating from high school ... She left a very special friend there, Bob. In PA she met a very handsome, athletic, vibrant young man with beautiful blue eyes, Karl (my dad!) They were married in 1958. In 1960, mom became a mom .... and within five years she had three of us!

Mom was "the mom" - we believe June Cleaver took mom lessons from mom. Mom holds the following titles in my eyes: Expert Housekeeper, Laundress Extraordinaire, Professional Seamstress and Quilter, Camping Mom, Game Champion, Clever Craftmaker, Home decorator, Flower Arranger, Sit-Upon Maker, Candle maker, Clever Word Sayer, Bassmaster, Patient Driver Ed Mom, First Class Girl Scout Leader, Mother to many - mom to three.

Mom and Dad had 41 event filled years together - we kept them very busy, before dad passed away in 1999. A difficult time for mom and her three girls, but our Savior and the love of our family brought us through. And then, as mom turned to the Lord for strength and help, a wonderful thing happened ... Bob. Yes, the weekend mom traveled back to Ohio for her 50th High School Reunion, her special friend was there. Labor Day weekend of 2004 was the beginning of a beautiful, romantic reunion. Bob and Mom were married in May of 2005. We love you too Bob.

I could go on and on about how much I love and respect my mom .... but most of all I want to honor her for the way she battled the cancer, or as she called it, "the beast" with dignity.

I love you mom!

Mom and Dad

Mom and Bob July 2007 ...
Nanna with the girls - Summer 2007

BARBERTON -- Shirley (Rittenhour) Wilhelm Critchfield, formerly of Painted Post and Keuka Park, N.Y., passed away Friday, November 9, 2007, in her hometown of Barberton, Ohio, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Shirley was known for her beautiful smile, her varied interests, her sense of humor, and her love for her family and friends. She was born February 10, 1936 in Sandusky, Ohio.

She is survived by her mother, Corinne Rittenhour of Vermont; her husband of 2-½; years, Robert Critchfield of Barberton, Ohio; her three children, Melanie McGuire and her husband, James and their children, Emily and Kathryn of East Bloomfield, N.Y., Karla Markayze and her husband, Steven and their child, Matthew of Painted Post, N.Y., Kimberly Glab and her husband, Donald and their children, Corinne, Kendall, Kimberly and Christiana of Gaithersburg, Md.; brothers, Ronald (Patricia) Rittenhour of Ohio, James (Debbie) Rittenhour of Vermont; stepson, John Critchfield and his children, Max and Taylor; step-daughter, Sharon (Peter) Dressen, all of Ohio; several nieces and nephews and beloved friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Karl K. Wilhelm and her father, Lloyd H. Rittenhour.

While living in Barberton, Shirley attended Johnson United Methodist Church and was active in their seniors group. While living in Painted Post, Shirley was a devoted member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, serving on the church council, Altar Guild, and the Lutheran Church Women. Shirley was a member of the Eastern Star, and for many years, was a Scout leader. While living in Penn Yan, Shirley was an active member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and the Red Hat Society.

As a wife, mother and grandmother, her unselfish devotion will forever be remembered and treasured. She was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren, and was always there to support them. Shirley enjoyed traveling, gardening, quilting, reading and spending time with her special friends.

Special thanks to the ER staff and CCU nurses at Barberton Citizens Hospital; Parkview Cancer Center and Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center, for their caring compassion in her final journey.

Visitation Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m. at the Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home, 566 W. Park Avenue, Barberton 44203. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, 12 Noon at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Penn Yan, N.Y., with visitation at 11 a.m. until time of service. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center, 3358 Ridgewood Road, Akron 44333.